Dear Neighbors,
With the weather really heating 🌞 up and flowers blooming, Hoboken is buzzing with activity. Here are your updates.
The daffodils in bloom on the 11th Street Islands
Standing up for 5th Ward Residents Against Illegal Rent Hikes
I have heard from concerned constituents who live at The Artisan and other Hoboken properties managed by The Bozzuto Group — about extraordinary, unconscionable rent hikes that threaten to drive them out of our community. I have also heard similar concerns recently raised by residents of The Jordan, managed by Lincoln Property Management.
I directly shared my constituents’ rent hike experiences with Mayor Bhalla who, in turn, corresponded with and has spoken to The Bozzuto Group CEO Toby Bozzuto, and written the CEO of Lincoln Property Management. You can read Mayor Bhalla’s recent correspondence to the Bozzuto Group here. I am pleased to report the Bozzuto Group has responded constructively and positively to Mayor Bhalla’s communications and expressed an openness to issuing updated, reasonable leases to tenants. We are awaiting a response from Lincoln Property Management, and I am hoping for a similar, positive response for residents of The Jordan.
This is not the first time I went to bat for 5th Ward residents socked with outrageous, illegal rent increases. Last year, tenants at The Rivington reached out to me, and we worked with the City and the City’s attorneys and — together — we prevailed! The Rivington’s management company not only agreed to roll back previously issued rent hikes, providing residents with rent credits — often thousands of dollars — but Rivington management agreed that all 250 units in The Rivington are subject to Hoboken’s robust rent control ordinance.
If you believe you have been subject to unfair rent hikes, please contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com so we can assist you.
Working to Improve Pedestrian Safety at 10th and Bloomfield
One intersection where I have gotten consistent complaints about delivery trucks blocking intersections and crosswalks is 10th and Bloomfield. Presently, there is a small loading zone at the intersection’s northwest corner, but a small loading zone is insufficient to accommodate large trucks that regularly deliver supplies to Prime on Bloom and Anthony David’s. So, on April 3rd, the Council passed on first reading an ordinance creating a larger, 40-foot loading zone.
Next week, I expect my Council colleagues will support this ordinance on second (and final) reading, and the City is planning to build out this larger loading zone in mid-May, addressing the neighbors’ long-standing concerns and making 10th and Bloomfield a safer intersection for our community.
More Vision Zero Improvements
Hoboken is one of the few communities in the nation with a Vision Zero Action Plan. I am proud that Hoboken has had no pedestrian deaths in the last 6 years. But we know the work continues and we always can do better to protect our residents.
This week, eight new stop signs recently approved by the City Council were installed near schools, parks, and senior populations to prioritize safety for our most vulnerable community members, including at the following four intersections in or near the 5th Ward:
- Seventh and Monroe
- Eighth and Monroe
- Eighth and Clinton and
- Ninth and Clinton
Additional safety measures with these stop sign installations include: refreshed striping; delineator posts; and curb extensions. These improvements, which I strongly support, will increase visibility, prevent vehicles from blocking crosswalks, and reduce pedestrian crossing distances, making our streets safer for everyone. Check out www.vzhoboken.com for more information on the City's Vision Zero Action Plan and stay current with Hoboken’s latest Vision Zero improvements.
Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program
Have you heard about the Lead Service Line Replacement Grant Program launched by the City of Hoboken? Through this program, eligible property owners can receive up to $1,000 in funding to replace their lead service lines, which is a crucial step in preventing lead contamination in the water.
This program aims to replace all lead service lines by 2031 and prioritizes areas with high densities of children and overburdened environmental justice communities. Furthermore, the Hoboken Water Utility provides residents with free at-home testing kits to identify service line materials. I encourage all Hoboken property owners to take advantage of this program and apply for the Lead Service Line Replacement Grant. To learn more about the program and access resources such as an interactive service line map and FAQs, click here.
Public Planning Process and Survey for Maritime Park
In 2019, during my campaign for the City Council, I emphasized the importance of connecting our public waterfront and reclaiming the waterfront for public use, At the time, the City was threatened with two 11-story condominiums at the Monarch site over our Northern piers, and losing control of the Union Dry Dock site to New York Waterway.
In the last three years, Mayor Bhalla and the City Council settled the Monarch litigation and negotiated a settlement with New York Waterway that ensures that Hoboken is the legal owner of the Union Dry Dock site at an agreed-upon purchase price, allowing us to start planning for a permanent waterfront park on the site.
On April 4th, I enjoyed participating in our first community public planning process for Maritime Park. The meeting was well-attended, and the community provided valuable feedback for the proposed waterfront open space at the former Union Dry Dock. The final concept design will result in a publicly accessible waterfront from Weehawken Cove to Pier A Park — a key plank of the platform on which I ran for office.
The survey for Maritime Park is now available to the public. I urge residents to share their feedback regarding the features and amenities they would like to see included. The survey closes April 18th at 6 pm and can be found here. For more information on Maritime Park, click here.
COVID Vaccinations and Vaccination Records
To get current information on Hoboken’s COVID vaccination clinics click here. If you are a Hoboken resident and would like a copy of your vaccination record, please contact LMedeiros@hobokennj.gov. Vaccination records are also accessible for all New Jersey residents through the Docket app.
Coffee with Cohen
On Tuesday, I hosted my 77th Coffee with Cohen community event at Tosti Cafe, a great locally-owned and operated 5th Ward business with my special guests, leaders of TRUE Mentors, a terrific not-for-profit organization.
Thanks to Tosti Cafe for hosting this month’s 5th Ward office hours and thanks to the neighbors who stopped for coffee, pastries, and lively conversations about cannabis dispensaries and True Mentors, a special not-for-profit organization that helps at-risk young people throughout Hudson County develop healthy, strong relationships with mentors to help them reach their full potential.
Staying Up To Date and Seeking My Assistance
I issue this newsletter every other Friday. You can stay up to date by following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. If you have any questions or concerns, or I can be of assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at HobokenPhil@gmail.com.
Phil Cohen
Hoboken City Councilman
Hoboken, New Jersey
HobokenPhil@gmail.com
(862) 234-9053
P.S. You can learn more about me and my ideas for Hoboken (as well as read this newsletter and prior newsletters) on my website philcohen.org.
